Steering-gear for automobiles.



No. 707,435 Patented Aug. l9, I902. J. a. MAGPHERSON.

STEERING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

"Application filed Oct. 26 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-$heat I.

THE norms pnzns co, vworoumo. WASHINGYQN, n c

J. G. MAcPHEBSON.

STEERING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 $heets-Sheat 2.

No. 707,435. Patented Aug. l9, I902.

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No. 707,435. Patented Aug. [9, I902.

J. G. MAGPHERSUN. STEERING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1901.

4 Sheets--Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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No. 707,435. Patented Aug. l9, I902.

J. G. MAcPHERSUN.

STEERING GEAR FUR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application filed Oct 26, 1901.)

(Nb Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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' lTE e rates ATENT FFICE- JOHN G. MAOPHERSON, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO MACPHERSON AUTOMOBILE COMPANY, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENN SYLVANIA.

STEERlNG GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES- SPEGIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 707,435, dated August 19, 1902.

Application filed October 26, 1901. fierial No. 80,120. (No model.)

To aZZ wit/077% it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN G. MAOPHERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSteering- Gear for Automobiles, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in steering-gear for automobiles;and the main object of my invention is the provision of a steering-gearwhich is quickly and easily operated and which will at all times relievethe strain placed upon the hand of the operator with all gears now inuse.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a steering-gear whoseoperating-lever is so arranged and constructed as to allow the operatorto pull or push it instead of turning a lever or wheel, as is thecustomary manner of steering.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a steering mechanismwhich will by a very little comparative movement of the lever cause thewheels to be readily moved and retain them at their proper angle Withoutthe operator still retaining the handle in his hand.

Another object of my invention isthe provision of a positive mechanismoperated by the vertical lever, which will positively operate the wheelsto steer the automobile and takes all strain from the operatinglever,which remains at any position when released by the operator, so that theautomobile will keep its course regardless of obstacles.

Another object of myinvention is the provision of a steering-gear whichwill cause the automobile to respond quickly to the slightest touch ofthe operator and has, by way of illustration, the same difference ofquick effectual manipulation as between a lever and wheel throttlecompared with the steering methods now in use, and that it will also beimpossible for the hand-lever to be wrenched from the operators hand,thus preventing such serious results that might happen thereby.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an automobilesteering-gear which is the embodiment of simplicity, durability, andinexpensiveness, thus producing a thoroughly efficient and practicaldevice.

To attain the desired objects, my invention consists of a steering-gearfor automobiles embodying novel features of construction and combinationof parts, substantially as disclosed herein.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile with mysteering-gear in use thereon. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of anautomobile with the steering-gear thereon. Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe runninggear and the steering-gear in position. Fig. 4c is anenlarged detail view of the operatinglever. Fig. 5 is a similar view ofthe segment and shaft carrying pinions. Fig. 6 is a detail view of theworm-gear and connections, and Fig. 7 is a detailview of thesteering-lever and connections with the front wheels.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, the

numeral 1 designates the body of the automobile, 2 the stationary frontaxle, and 3 the shortswiveled axle, carrying the front wheels 4. Formedrigid with and extending rearwardly from the axles 3 are the arms orlevers 5, whose outer ends are, by means of pivotal joints 6, connectedto the connectingrod 7. This rod 7 has connected thereto, so as to giveit a movement from one side to the other, an arm 8, which is furtherconnected to the gear-Wheel 9, which is operated by the worm-gear l0,operated by the lower end of thevertical shaft 11, journaled in thedepending bracket 12. Upon the upper end of the shaft 11 is carried thesmall spur-gear 13, which meshes with the teeth 14 of the segmental gear15, which is mounted in the arms 16 of the depending bracket 17, so thatits outer end of the arm 18 may be pivotally connected to the rod 19,which is connected to the end of the bell-crank lever 20. The mainportion of body 21 of the bell-crank lever is journaled in the bearings22 of the brackets 23, and connected rigidly to and extending upward atone side of the vehicle-body is the lever or operators handle 24: forimparting motion to the entire mechanism. 7

The shaft 11, carrying the spur-gear and operating the worm, has itsgears so constructed that it is revolved five times when the segmentalgear has been moved its full distance, and the gear-wheel 9 is largeenough to be turned one-third its circumference by the worm-gear 10 tomore easily and quickly steer or operate the swiveled axles of the frontwheels.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,the operation of my improved steering-gear for automobiles will bereadily understood and its numerous advantages be fully appreciated; butthe operation, briefly stated,is as follows: The handlever is atdead-centerthat is, it is perpendicular to the plane of the road. Thewheels of the automobile are all parallel. To steer the vehicle to rightor left, it is simply necessary to push or pull upon the lever, whichimparts motion to the segmental gear, which in turn revolves the shaft11, causing the worm-gear 10 to impart motion to the large gear-wheel 9,which, by reason of moving its arm 8, causes the rod 7 to swing thelevers 5, which in turn turns the swiveled axles, and thus the frontwheels. It will thus be seen that the particular advantages obtained bythis construction and arrangement of parts is that all strain is removedfrom the operatinglever, and consequently against the operators hand;that the automobile will keep its course regardless of obstacles, as thegears are positive in their movement and also their passive position,thus allowing the operator to remove his hand from the lever, ifnecessary, without running any great risks; that the automobile respondsquickly to the slightest touch of the operator, and that by thearrangement of the operating-lever much space is savedand thesteering-gear or its lever is never in the Way in getting in or out ofthe automobile. It further adds in attractiveness to the automobile andis always at hand where the operator can operate it from the mostcomfortable position.

It is evident that I have produced a steering-gear for automobiles whichis very simple and durable in construction, which is easily and quicklyoperated, and which is thoroughly efficient and practical in use.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. In combination with a vehicle, ofa steering-gear therefor comprisinga hand-lever, a bell-crank lever operated thereby, a segmental gearoperated by said bell-crank lever, a vertical shaft, a gear carriedthereby and meshing With said segmental gear, a wormgear operated bysaid shaft, a large gear meshing with said worm-gear, and means operatedby said large gear to steer the front wheels of the vehicle.

2. In combination with a vehicle of a steering-gear therefor comprisinga hand-lever, a bell-crank lever operated thereby, a segmental gearoperated by said bell-crank lever, a vertical shaft, a gear carriedthereby and meshing with said segmental gear, a wormgear operated bysaid shaft, alarge gear meshing with said worm-gear, a rod or armconnected to said large gear, and means connected to said arm forsteering the front wheels of the vehicle.

3. In combination with a vehicle of a steering-gear therefor comprisinga hand-lever, a bell-crank lever operated thereby, a segmental gearoperated by said bell-crank lever, a vertical shaft, a gear carriedthereby and meshing with said segmental gear, a wormgear operated bysaid shaft, alarge gear meshing with said worm-gear, a rod or armconnected to said large gear, a connecting-rod connected to said arm,and levers carried by the front wheels axles connected to theconnecting-rod so as to be moved in unison.

In testimony whereof Iaftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. MAOPHERSON.

Witnesses:

ISAAC H. RooAP, SAML. B. S. BARTn.

